The Catholic Writers Guild

Step Two – “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore our writing to sanity”

How do you keep your writing spiritually sane? Only you can answer that because each soul has a special and unique relationship with God. I cannot tell you what you should do to keep your writing sane. I can only share what I do to keep my own writing sane. I follow certain practices and those practices usually keep my writing on the straight and narrow path. Of course, no one is perfect and even with the following practices, I have made mistakes. Those mistakes have been honest ones. But, I believe that God can use even my humble mistakes for a greater purpose. Here are the rules I try to follow in an attempt to keep my writing spiritually sane.

Practicing Patience I am not a writer who has ever suffered writer’s block. I can get numerous ideas for books or stories by observing people while shopping in the local supermarket. I often think of plots while waiting in a doctor’s office for an appointment. I can dream up a new character by simply sitting in the mall and people watching. My problem has always been what story to write, what plot to unravel, or what character is worthy of literary life. So many possibilities and tales float around my mind, that I am often confused over what story deserves my time. In the past, I have often rushed ahead with an idea, sure it was a perfect project, only to find that it was just an idea that I thought was the right one.

The difference is that being a spiritual writer requires more. It requires that I write what God inspires me to write. As spiritual writers God does guide us. He uses our voice to reach His people. It is an awesome and wonderful responsibility. But how do I know what particular story He wants me to pursue? He has spoken to me in numerous ways.

When I first returned to my childhood faith I prayed the rosary. It was the only prayer I remembered. I like to say that Mary used her beads and lassoed me back to where I belonged. I loved the mysteries of the rosary so much that while praying it I would be drawn into contemplative prayer as God spoke to my heart. I discovered St. Louis De Montfort and his ‘graces of the rosary.’ I wanted to share the wonder of it all. One night, as I was pondering the first joyful mystery, I fell asleep and dreamt the entire plot of my first novel. I think God spoke to me during the only time that I was quiet enough to listen.  And while my first attempt at writing showed questionable skills, I wrote the story that He gave me in that dream. It inspired me to write a series based on the Graces of the Rosary.

However, as I tried to come up with my second novel, no dream came. I had numerous ideas about what my second novel would be but couldn’t decide which one God wanted me to write. I prayed and prayed without a sign. I threw out the proverbial sheepskin without an answer. One day, desperate to know God’s Will, I went to our local Eucharistic Adoration chapel and prayed. I couldn’t concentrate. Distracted, I started looking around. Suddenly I saw an elderly woman crying in the front and, wondering what she was suffering, I prayed for her. Looking around, I wondered what the needs and prayers of the people there could be and how God would answer these souls. And with the rosary grace of “charity” the second novel was given to me. What I am saying is that with each book or story, God has used a different way of letting me know what His Will is.

I know His Voice when I hear it. But do I always have the patience to wait on His prompting? No, not always, but I am learning that waiting on His Will is always rewarded. When I am writing what He wants, it just flows. Does that mean it is always successful? Not necessarily financially or professionally, but it is always successful spiritually. If Jesus would die for the salvation of just one soul, who am I to complain if my novel or tale touches just one person?

Here are the steps I take to find God’s Will for my writing.

Prayer I pray daily before I write anything. Often during prayer God speaks to my heart, especially during Eucharistic Adoration.

Reading my Bible Here at my fingertips is the greatest volume of drama, humor, and inspiration ever written. East of Eden, one of my favorite novels, was inspired by the story of Cain and Abel. Sometimes just a single line can trigger a writing frenzy.

Mass I try to go to daily Mass. Just listening to the gospel reading or the homily can trigger a thought and God can reach my heart with His Will.

Listening I can be quite a talker, but God is teaching me that it is often more important to listen. He speaks to me through the words of others. It is important to listen, to take the time to really hear what another is saying. Often, it is God speaking through them.

Memories Often a memory or a small recollection of a childhood friend can inspire a thought. It was through the memory of a childhood friend that Down Right Good, my third novel, was born. I am sure that it was God’s way of gifting me the story.

Dreams When all else fails and I am stuck by a plot tangle or even my next work, I ask God for help as I fall asleep. I often mysteriously awake with the answer to my plot dilemma or even dream a whole new work.

The most important thing is to remember that God is eternal. I am impatient, but I am learning to wait on Him. That is the most important component of being a Spiritual writer. Knowing that I am the pen and he is the author. I am still struggling to be patient enough to wait on His perfect timing.

Karen Kelly Boyce is a mother of two and grandmother of two who lives on a farm in N.J. with her retired husband. She and her husband love to camp and take ‘road trips’ around the country. She has published four novels and three children’s books. Her website is www.karenkellyboyce.com

Karen Boyce

Karen Kelly Boyce lives on a farm in N.J. with her retired husband. She is a mother and grandmother. She is the author of “The Sisters of the Last Straw” series published by Tan Books. You can see her work and learn more about her on her website: www,kkboyce.com